Power line GPS data distribution

ABSTRACT

Distributing data is disclosed. A GPS signal is received from one or more GPS satellites. GPS data associated with at least a portion of the GPS signal is distributed via a power line. In some cases, at least a portion of the distributed signal is used to establish a reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers have been used to providelocation, time, timing, and/or frequency reference information. SinceGPS receivers receive signals from GPS satellites, GPS receivers oftenrequire a view of the sky for proper operation. In indoor environmentswhere GPS data is desired but a view of the sky is unavailable,typically an external GPS antenna/receiver is installed outdoors andconnected by dedicated wires to an indoor device desiring the GPS data.Since such an installation requires installing a wire between theoutdoor GPS antenna/receiver and the indoor GPS device, the installationis difficult for most users. Therefore there exists a need for an easierway to obtain GPS data in a variety environments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the followingdetailed description and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is diagram illustrating an embodiment of a power line GPSdistribution environment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a basetransceiver station (BTS).

FIG. 3 is flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a process fordistributing GPS data.

FIG. 4 is flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a process forprocessing GPS data.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a mobile networkwith packet data network backhaul.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as aprocess, an apparatus, a system, a composition of matter, a computerreadable medium such as a computer readable storage medium or a computernetwork wherein program instructions are sent over optical orcommunication links. In this specification, these implementations, orany other form that the invention may take, may be referred to astechniques. A component such as a processor or a memory described asbeing configured to perform a task includes both a general componentthat is temporarily configured to perform the task at a given time or aspecific component that is manufactured to perform the task. In general,the order of the steps of disclosed processes may be altered within thescope of the invention.

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention isprovided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate theprinciples of the invention. The invention is described in connectionwith such embodiments, but the invention is not limited to anyembodiment. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims andthe invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications andequivalents. Numerous specific details are set forth in the followingdescription in order to provide a thorough understanding of theinvention. These details are provided for the purpose of example and theinvention may be practiced according to the claims without some or allof these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technicalmaterial that is known in the technical fields related to the inventionhas not been described in detail so that the invention is notunnecessarily obscured.

Distributing GPS data is disclosed. In some embodiments, a GPS signalreceived from one or more GPS satellites is distributed via a powerline. For example, a GPS antenna and receiver placed on a roof of abuilding is connected to the power, e.g., via an external power outlet.The GPS receiver is powered by power received via the power line and theGPS signal received by the GPS receiver is distributed via the samepower line. A device connected to the power line receives the GPS signalvia the power line. For example, an indoor device that desires GPS datawithout a view of the sky obtains the power line distributed GPS data.In some embodiments, by using the GPS data, the device establishes alocation reference, a time reference, a timing reference, and/or afrequency reference.

FIG. 1 is diagram illustrating an embodiment of a power line GPSdistribution environment. GPS receiver 102 receives GPS signals viaantenna 104. At least a portion of GPS data included in the GPS signalreceived by receiver 102 is sent (e.g., modulated) by power line datasignal sender 106 for distribution via power distribution network 108.In some embodiments, antenna 104 and/or power line data signal sender106 are integrated together with GPS receiver 102 in a single device. Insome embodiments, receiver 102 and/or sender 106 receives power frompower distribution network 108. For example, an integrated deviceincluding antenna 104, GPS receiver 102, and sender 106 is placedoutdoors and is connected to power distribution network 108 via anelectrical cord/plug 107. The integrated device receives power viacord/plug 107, and the integrated device transmits GPS data via the samecord/plug 107 for distribution via power distribution network 108 to oneor more other devices connected to power distribution network 108, e.g.,via wall or other outlets in locations throughout the interior spaces ofa building with which power distribution network 108 is associated.Power distribution network 108 includes a network of electrical wiring(e.g., power line) that can provide power to one or more electricaldevices. In some embodiments, power distribution network 108 includeselectrical wiring/power line infrastructure of a building (e.g., ahouse). In some embodiments, the power distribution network is connectedto a power generation source (e.g., public power utility grid). In someembodiments, GPS data from a plurality of GPS receivers are distributedvia power distribution network 108.

Power line data signal receiver 110 receives from power distributionnetwork 108 a “signal” that includes the normal electrical supply andthe GPS information that has been added by the data signal sender 106.For example, a signal including GPS data and sent by power line datasignal sender 106 via power distribution network 108 is received byreceiver 110. In some embodiments, receiver 110 processes the receivedsignal to obtain (e.g., demodulate) the GPS data included in thereceived signal. GPS data processor 112 processes the obtained GPS dataof receiver 110. For example, time, timing, frequency, and/or locationdata is at least in part determined by processor 112 using the obtainedGPS data. In some embodiments, receiver 110 and processor 112 areincluded in a single device. In some embodiments, by obtaining GPS datafrom power distribution network 108, GPS data processor 112 is able toobtain GPS data while placed in an environment not ideal for receivingGPS signals from GPS satellites. For example, an indoor base transceiverstation (BTS), such as a small scale base station suitable fordeployment in a home or small enterprise setting, of a cellularcommunication network includes receiver 110 and processor 112. Invarious embodiments, any number of power line data signal receivers andGPS data processors may exist. For example, a plurality of power linedata signal receivers and GPS data processors receive the GPS data ofGPS receiver 102 via power distribution network 108.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a basetransceiver station (BTS). BTS 200 uses GPS data to establish a timingreference for wireless signal communication. In some embodiments, BTS200 includes power line data signal receiver 210, GPS data processor212, frequency/timing reference 214, and power supply 216. In theexample shown, one or more components of BTS 200 have been omitted fromthe diagram to emphasize the shown components of BTS 200. In someembodiments, power line data signal receiver 210 is power line datasignal receiver 110 of FIG. 1, and GPS data processor 212 is GPS dataprocessor 112 of FIG. 1. BTS 200 is connected to power outlet 202 viapower plug 204. In some embodiments, power outlet 202 allows BTS 200 tobe connected to power distribution network 108 of FIG. 1. Using the sameconnection to the power distribution network via plug 202, power supply216 obtains power and power line data signal receiver 210 obtains a datasignal. Power supply 216 uses the obtained power to provide power to oneor more other components of BTS 200. Power line data signal receiver 210receives a data signal including GPS data and processes the data signalto obtain the GPS data. The obtained GPS data is processed by processor212 to at least in part determine data that can be used calibratetiming/frequency reference 214. In some embodiments, processor 212performs other processing in addition to GPS data processing. Forexample, processor 212 is included in a DSP that performs mobile usercommunication data processing. In some embodiments, reference 214includes an oscillator. In some embodiments, reference 214 is included aradio transceiver.

FIG. 3 is flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a process fordistributing GPS data. In some embodiments, the process of FIG. 3 isimplemented on at least in part on GPS receiver 102 and power line datasignal sender 106 of FIG. 1. At 302, GPS signal is received. Receivingthe GPS signal includes receiving a GPS satellite signal. In someembodiments, the GPS signal is received by GPS receiver 102 of FIG. I.At 304, at least a portion of GPS data included in the GPS signal issent via a power distribution network. In some embodiments, sending theGPS data includes broadcasting a signal including at least a portion ofthe GPS data via a power line of a power distribution network (e.g.power distribution network 108 of FIG. 1). In some embodiments, thebroadcasted signal includes an identifier identifying a GPS receiver.For example, by using the identifier, a power line receiver is able todistinguish between each signal of a plurality signals broadcasted froma plurality of GPS receivers. In some embodiments, sending the GPS dataincludes superimposing a low voltage differential data signal includingGPS data on the hot and neutral lines of the power line carrying an ACpower signal. In some embodiments, sending at least a portion of the GPSdata includes using a power line data communication protocol such as theHomePlug protocol, the Broadband over Power Line (BPL) protocol, or theNarrowband over Power Line protocol. In some embodiments, at least aportion of the GPS data is processed before being sent. For example, atleast a portion of the GPS data is encrypted and/or compressed beforebeing sent via the power distribution network.

FIG. 4 is flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a process forprocessing GPS data. In some embodiments, at least a portion of theprocess of FIG. 4 is implemented on power line data signal receiver 110and GPS data processor 112 of FIG. 1. At 402, a signal including GPSdata is received via a power distribution network. In some embodiments,receiving the signal includes demodulating the signal. In someembodiments, receiving the signal includes isolating a low voltagedifferential data signal superimposed on a AC power signal. In someembodiments, receiving the signal includes extracting GPS timing pulsedata, GPS location data, and or other GPS data included in the signal.In some embodiments, receiving the signal includes performing processingsuch as decryption, decompression, and/or power line data communicationprotocol processing. In some embodiments, the received signal isreceived by power line data signal receiver 110 of FIG. 1. At 404, thereceived GPS data is processed. In some embodiments, the GPS data isprocessed by GPS data processor 112 of FIG. 1. Processing the GPS dataincludes using the GPS data to at least part determine a reference, suchas a time reference, a timing reference, a frequency reference, and/or alocation reference. For example, the GPS data is processed by a BTS tosynchronize wireless data communication timing and/or determine locationinformation (e.g., Enhanced 911 information required by FederalCommunications Commission). In another example, a device such as analarm clock, a media player, or any other consumer or commercialappliance can automatically set a clock time at least in part by usingthe GPS data included a power line signal received from the powerdistribution network. In another example, a device such as an alarmsystem and a medical/distress warning system can determine a location ofthe distress at least in part by using the GPS data included a powerline signal received from the power distribution network.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a mobile networkwith packet data network backhaul. In the example shown, the mobilenetwork 500 includes mobile equipment 502 connected to a plurality ofbase transceiver stations represented in FIG. 5 by BTS 504 and BTS 506.In some embodiments, the system of FIG. 1 includes BTS 504 and/or BTS506. In some embodiments, power line data signal receiver 110 and GPSdata processor 112 of FIG. 1 are included in BTS 504 and/or BTS 506. Insome embodiments, BTS 200 of FIG. 2 is included in BTS 504 and/or BTS506. BTS 504 and BTS 506 are connected via a local Internet accessconnection 505 and 507, respectively, to a packet data network (PDN)508, such as the Internet. In some embodiments, mobile network data issent, via PDN 508, between the base transceiver stations represented byBTS 504 and BTS 506, on the one hand, and an aggregation gateway (AGW)514, on the other, using the Internet (IP) protocol. In variousembodiments, Internet access connections 505 and 507 comprise a cable,DSL, or other modem collocated with the BTS and/or a local exchangecarrier central office (LEC-CO) with DSLAM or cable head-end. Alsoconnected to PDN 508 in the example shown in FIG. 5 is a router/firewall510 connected to and configured to provide connectivity to and securitywith respect to an aggregation gateway 514, and a registration server516. In some embodiments, element management server EMS 512 is connectedto router/firewall 510. In some embodiments, router/firewall 510 isomitted and/or does not include a firewall. In various embodiments,element management server 512, aggregation gateway 514, and aregistration server 516 are included in one or more physical computingsystems.

Element management server 512 enables an administrator to performoperational, administrative, and/or management (OAM) operations withrespect to one or more mobile network elements, e.g., BTS 504 or BTS506. Aggregation gateway (AGW) 514 receives inbound mobile network data(voice, signaling, data, control/management) from one or more basetransceiver stations (BTS), via PDN 508, aggregates data from two ormore base transceiver stations (if/as applicable), and provides theinbound data to BSC 518 via one or more physical ports, using timedivision multiplex (TDM) as prescribed by the GSM standard and the BSCOEM's proprietary implementation of the Abis interface 520. In someembodiments, the AGW 514 is capable of interfacing with more than onetype of BSC, e.g., with BSC's from two or more vendors. In some suchembodiments, the AGW 514 is configured and/or provisioned, e.g., atdeployment time, to use the Abis interface API of the particular type ofBSC with which it is required to communicate in a particularinstallation. In some embodiments, an API or other interfacespecification or definition of the Abis interface as implemented by eachBSC vendor/OEM the AGW is desired to be able to support is obtained andused as applicable to configure/provision the AGW to communicate with aparticular BSC with which it is required to communicate.

Registration server 516 is configured to be used to register a BTSand/or other provider equipment with the network, e.g., to authenticatethe equipment prior to providing to the equipment session keys to beused in secure communication protocols, identifying (e.g., address)information for other network elements, such as AGW 514, etc.

In some embodiments AGW 514 aggregates data associated with multiplebase transceiver stations and provides communication to/from the BSC viaa fewer number of physical BSC ports (e.g., a single port). In variousembodiments, use of PDN 508 and AGW 514 to transport data between basetransceiver stations such as BTS 504 and BTS 506, on the one hand, andBSC 518, on the other, makes it commercially feasible to provide a smallfrom factor and/or relatively low capacity BTS to provide dedicatedservice to individuals and/or relatively small groups of users, such asa household or small business, since in addition to not requiring a BSCport for each BTS a dedicated T-1/E-1 line is not required. Such indoor(e.g., home/office) environments are likely to exhibit long lastingfades such as described above, e.g., due to interference from obstaclessuch as file cabinets and other furniture, and the techniques describedherein, while limited to the indoor environment, are likely useful insuch an environment since the mobile station (MS) user likely will bemoving, if at all, only on foot and therefore not very quickly relativeto the position of the small form factor base station, such that it isless likely that the user's experience of call quality will be affectedby omitting to update the equalizer taps during periods in which thesignal-to-noise and/or other quality criteria is/are not met.

While the example shown in FIG. 5 and in other embodiments describedherein involves a GSM network and/or uses GSM nomenclature to refer tonetwork elements, the techniques described herein are applied in otherembodiments to other types of mobile telecommunications networks, and inparticular may be applied wherever a plurality of relatively lowcapacity base transceiver stations need to exchange mobile communicationdata with a base station controller or other node having a limitednumber of relatively very high capacity ports or other resources.

Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in some detailfor purposes of clarity of understanding, the invention is not limitedto the details provided. There are many alternative ways of implementingthe invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and notrestrictive.

1. A method of data distribution, comprising: receiving, by a GPSreceiver, a GPS signal from one or more GPS satellites; encrypting andcompressing GPS data associated with at least a portion of the GPSsignal; broadcasting, via a power line, the GPS data to a plurality ofsmall scale base transceiver stations that are part of a mobile cellularcommunication network, wherein the broadcasted data includes anidentifier that identifies the GPS receiver; receiving, by the smallscale base transceiver stations, the GPS data; extracting, by the smallscale base transceiver stations, timing information from the GPS data;using the timing information extracted from the GPS data to synchronizewireless communications with mobile wireless communication devices; andcommunicating wireless mobile communications data from the small scalebase transceiver stations, via the Internet, to an aggregated gatewaythat is connected, a dedicated line, to a base station controller,wherein each small scale base transceiver station is individuallycoupled to the Internet to connect to the aggregated gateway where thewireless mobile communications data from the small scale basetransceiver stations is aggregated, for the first time on its way fromthe small scale base transceiver stations to the base stationcontroller, by the aggregated gateway, wherein a registration server iscoupled to the aggregated gateway and is coupled to the Internet,wherein the registration server is configured to authenticate each ofthe small scale base transceiver stations prior to providing sessionkeys to the authenticated small scale base transceiver station for usein secure communications and prior to providing, to the authenticatedsmall scale base transceiver station, address information for theaggregated gateway.
 2. A method as recited in claim 1, whereindistributing the GPS data includes superimposing a low voltagedifferential data signal on a hot line and a neutral line of the powerline.
 3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising receivingpower via the power line.
 4. A method as recited in claim 1, whereindistributing the GPS data includes performing power line datacommunication protocol processing.
 5. A method as recited in claim 4,wherein the power line data communication protocol processing isperformed using one or more of the following protocols: a HomePlugprotocol, a Broadband over Power line protocol, and a Narrowband overPower Line protocol.
 6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein at leasta portion of the distributed signal is used to establish a reference. 7.A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the reference includes one ormore of the following references: a location reference, a timereference, a timing reference, and a frequency reference.
 8. A method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the power line is at least a portion of anelectrical wiring infrastructure of a building.
 9. A method as recitedin claim 1, wherein the aggregated gateway aggregates the wirelessmobile communications data from the small scale base transceiverstations and provides the aggregated data to the base station controllerusing time division multiplexing.
 10. A method as recited in claim 1,wherein the aggregated gateway is coupled to a registration server andto an element management server, wherein the aggregated gateway and theregistration server are coupled to the Internet, and wherein theaggregated gateway, the registration server and the element managementserver are communicatively disposed on the same side of the mobilecellular communication network with respect to the base stationcontroller.
 11. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the aggregatedgateway receives wireless mobile communications data in accordance withone communication protocol and sends the aggregated data to the basestation controller in accordance with another communication protocol.12. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein each small scale basetransceiver station comprises a DSP that is configured to performwireless mobile communications data processing on wireless mobilecommunications data and that is also configured to process the GPS datareceived from the power line.
 13. A system for signal distribution,comprising: a receiver configured to receive a GPS signal from one ormore GPS satellites; a communication interface configured to distributevia a power line, GPS data associated with at least a portion of the GPSsignal to a plurality of small scale base transceiver stations that arepart of a mobile cellular communication network; and small scale basetransceiver stations configured to receive the GPS data from the powerline, to extract extracting timing information from the GPS data and tosynchronize wireless communications with mobile wireless communicationdevices by using the extracted timing information, wherein the smallscale base transceiver stations communicate wireless mobilecommunications data over the Internet to an aggregated gateway that isconnected, via a dedicated interface, to a base station controller,wherein the aggregate gateway receives the wireless mobilecommunications data in accordance with one communication protocol andsends the aggregated data to the base station controller in accordancewith another communication protocol, wherein each small scale basetransceiver station is individually coupled to the Internet and uses theInternet and not an Abis interface to connect to the aggregated gatewaywhere the wireless mobile communications data from the small scale basetransceiver stations is aggregated, for the first time on its way fromthe small scale base transceiver stations to the base stationcontroller, by the aggregated gateway, wherein the aggregated gatewayreceives the wireless mobile communications data from the Internet andsends the aggregated wireless mobile communications data over an Abisinterface for the first time on its way from the small scale basetransceiver stations to the base station controller, and wherein aregistration server is coupled to the aggregated gateway and is coupledto the Internet, wherein the registration server is configured toauthenticate each of the small scale base transceiver stations prior toproviding session keys to the authenticated small scale base transceiverstation for use in secure communications and prior to providing, to theauthenticated small scale base transceiver station, address informationfor the aggregated gateway.
 14. A system as recited in claim 13, whereinthe communication interface is configured to distribute the GPS dataincluding by superimposing a low voltage differential data signal on ahot line and a neutral line of the power line.
 15. A system as recitedin claim 13, wherein the system is powered at least in part by powerreceived via the power line.
 16. A system as recited in claim 13,wherein the communication interface is configured to distribute the GPSdata including by performing power line data communication protocolprocessing.
 17. A system as recited in claim 16, wherein the power linedata communication protocol processing is performed using one or more ofthe following protocols: a HomePlug protocol, a Broadband over Powerline protocol, and a Narrowband over Power Line protocol.
 18. A systemas recited in claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the distributedsignal is used to establish a reference.
 19. A system as recited inclaim 18, wherein the reference includes one or more of the followingreferences: a location reference, a time reference, a timing reference,and a frequency reference.
 20. A system as recited in claim 13, whereinthe power line is at least a portion of an electrical wiringinfrastructure of a building.
 21. A system as recited in claim 13,wherein the aggregated gateway aggregates the wireless mobilecommunications data from the small scale base transceiver stations andprovides the aggregated data to the base station controller using timedivision multiplexing.
 22. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein theaggregated gateway is coupled to a registration server and to an elementmanagement server, wherein the aggregated gateway and the registrationserver are coupled to the Internet, and wherein the aggregated gateway,the registration server and the element management server arecommunicatively disposed on the same side of the mobile cellularcommunication network in relation to the base station controller.
 23. Asystem as recited in claim 13, wherein the aggregated gateway receiveswireless mobile communications data in accordance with one communicationprotocol and sends the aggregated data to the base station controller inaccordance with another communication protocol.
 24. A system as recitedin claim 13, wherein each small scale base transceiver station comprisesa DSP that is configured to perform wireless mobile communications dataprocessing on wireless mobile communications data and that is alsoconfigured to process the GPS data received from the power line.
 25. Asystem as recited in claim 13, wherein the aggregated gatewaycommunicates with the base station controller only using a singlephysical BSC port.
 26. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein theaggregated gateway is coupled to the Internet through a router andfirewall device, wherein a registration server is coupled to theaggregated gateway, wherein the registration server is coupled to therouter and firewall device, wherein the router and firewall device isconnected to the Internet and provides security with respect to theaggregated gateway and the registration server.
 27. A system for signaldistribution, comprising: a receiver configured to receive a GPS signalfrom one or more GPS satellites; a communication interface configured todistribute via a power line, GPS data associated with at least a portionof the GPS signal to a plurality of small scale base transceiverstations that are part of a mobile cellular communication network; andsmall scale base transceiver stations configured to receive the GPS datafrom the power line, to extract extracting timing information from theGPS data and to synchronize wireless communications with mobile wirelesscommunication devices by using the extracted timing information, whereinthe small scale base transceiver stations communicate wireless mobilecommunications data over the Internet to an aggregated gateway that isconnected, via a dedicated interface, to a base station controller,wherein each small scale base transceiver station is directly connectedto the Internet to connect to the aggregated gateway where the wirelessmobile communications data from the small scale base transceiverstations is aggregated, for the first time from the small scale basetransceiver stations to the base station controller, by the aggregatedgateway, and wherein a registration server is coupled to the aggregatedgateway and is coupled to the Internet, wherein the registration serveris configured to authenticate each of the small scale base transceiverstations prior to providing session keys to the authenticated smallscale base transceiver station for use in secure communications andprior to providing, to the authenticated small scale base transceiverstation, address information for the aggregated gateway.